GPHC transplant programme on par with international standards

With an 88 per cent five-year survival rate for patients who underwent renal transplants from live donors, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) transplantation programme is on par with international standards.

During an interview with the News Room on Friday, the Head of the Multi-Organ Transplant and Vascular Access Surgery Department, Dr. Kishore Persaud said the success of the programme can be compared to countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada.

The transplant programme commenced in 2014 after Dr. Persaud returned from the University of Calgary, Canada where he pursued a fellowship in multi-organ transplant surgery and vascular access.

“The average life expectancy post-transplant for renal transplant patients ranges between 85 to 90 per cent, our outcome is 88 per cent at this moment which is comparable to any of the first-world countries,” Dr. Persaud said.

Dr. Persaud credited the success of the programme to the dedication of the transplant and vascular team which continues to monitor patients after their transplantation.

The News Room spoke to a few persons who benefitted from kidney transplants at the Georgetown Public Hospital since the transplant programme was launched and surpassed the five-year mark.

“Several things I was able to accomplish but primarily I’ve been able to start the university of Guyana, I started in 2019, and I’m now in my final year,” said 33-year-old Henry Brandon who reached the five-year mark in April, 2022.

Brandon visits the clinic at the hospital on a monthly basis since his surgery in 2017. He praised the doctors of the department for being “extremely dedicated” and making themselves available at any time.

Meanwhile, 34-year-old Richard Manpersaud completed five years since undergoing surgery in February 2022. He described the post-surgery support from the transplant team as “perfect”.

“I believe the transplant team needs more acknowledgment because to get that level of care, it feels really appreciated because they are so dedicated to looking you after,” Manpersaud said.

“I never believed that one day I could be this healthy again I could work again I could be able to provide for my family you know go out and do something for the community or country,” he added.

Also, 33-year-old  Kiran Hardyal underwent his first kidney transplant at GPHC seven years ago in September 2015. He emphasised that there are no complaints he can make in relation to after-care provided by the clinic.

“The doctors, they’re really efficient in treating us, they make us priority, they’re more like family to us than being a doctor because any problem you encounter at home or anywhere you’re free to call them at any hour,” Hardyal said.